Automatic wicketting apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically removing bags from a supply conveyor and stacking a predetermined number of bags upon raised pins. The stacks are then placed on a stack transfer assembly that is then moved into a transfer station wherein the stacks are placed on wickets. An endless accumulator conveyor is arranged to deliver the wickets into the transfer station in timed relation with the movement of the transfer assembly between stations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for automatically stacking bags having aligned wicket receiving holes and placing the stacks upon wickets that includes a bag feeder for delivering bags seriatim into a bag stacking station with the wicket receiving holes of said bags lying in a common plane,   loading means for periodically indexing stacker bar units into said stacking station and then into a stack loading station, said stacker bar units each having upraised pins that are spaced in alignment with the wicket receiving holes and which lie in said common plane when said stacker bar unit is in said stacking station so that bags delivered into said stacking station are placed upon said pins,   indexing means for moving said stacker bar unit from the stacking station into the stack loading station when a predetermined number of bags are placed upon the pins of said stacker bar unit,   a stack transfer assembly mounted for movement between said loading station and a transfer station, said transfer station containing a wicket having arms that are spaced in alignment with the holes in said bags,   drive means for moving the transfer assembly between the loading station and the transfer station,   said stack transfer assembly further including a positionable head containing hollow tubes that are spaced apart in alignment with the holes in said bags, and articulating means for reciprocating the head between a home position and a stack receiving position when the assembly is in the loading station wherein the tips of the pins are inserted into the tubes and between the home position and a stack ejecting position when the assembly is in the transfer station wherein the wickets are inserted into the tubes,   clamping means associated with said head having jaws operable when the head is in the stack receiving position to clamp together bags mounted upon said pins into a stack and moving the stack from the pins onto the tubes and for removing the stack from the tubes onto the wicket when the head is in the stack ejecting position.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 that includes an endless accumulator conveyor containing a plurality of wicket support members and advancing means for moving an empty wicket into said transfer station prior to the transfer assembly moving a stack into the transfer stations. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positionable head is pivotally mounted upon a rotatable arm and further including means to coordinate the motion of the head with that of the arm to position the head in the loading station and the transfer station. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said jaws include a back jaw for contacting the back of said stack and a pivotally mounted front jaw, and first means to raise and lower said front jaw over the top of the stack and second means for moving the front jaw toward and away from said back jaw. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus for transporting a stack of bags having wicket receiving holes therein from a loading station onto wickets located in a transfer station, said apparatus including, a stack transfer means mounted for movement between a stack loading station containing a stack of bags having wicket receiving holes formed therein and a stack transfer station, said stack transfer station containing a wicket having spaced apart arms that are aligned with the holes formed in the bags contained in said stack,   drive means for moving the transfer means between the loading station and the transfer station, and   said stack transfer means further including a positionable head containing clamping means having a rear jaw movably contained within a carriage and connected to a piston rod of a drive cylinder, said clamping means further having a front jaw movably contained with said carriage and connected to a second piston rod of a second drive cylinder, wherein said front Jaw and said rear jaw are operable when the head is in the loading station to clamp a stack in said loading station between said jaws, placing the stack on said wicket in said transfer station wherein the wicket arms are passed through the holes in the bags contained in said stack, and opening said jaws to release the stack from said transfer means.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indexing means for moving said stacker bar unit from the stacking station into the stack loading station further includes a counter for counting the number of bags that are delivered to said stacking station and indexing the stacker bar unit when a predetermined count is reached.